New California fines for wasting water take effect

SACRAMENTO -- New regulations that include fines up to $500 a day for residents who waste water are taking effect in California.

The State Water Resources Control Board approved the rules earlier this month, making it illegal for people to hose down driveways and sidewalks, waste water on their lawns or wash vehicles using a hose without a shut-off nozzle.

The Sacramento Bee reports (http://bit.ly/1oHSC9S ) the regulations took effect Tuesday after a state legal review.

The stronger enforcement was triggered in part by a state report that found water consumption has actually risen amid the worst drought in nearly four decades, despite Gov. Jerry Brown's push to cut water use by 20 percent.

The rules apply to residents and business owners for nine months, but they could be renewed.